Paul Humber*<\/b><\/p>\n
*Paul G. Humber, A.B., M.S., M.Div., is schoolmaster at a college preparatory school in the Philadelphia area<\/i>.<\/p>\n
In a temple near Beijing, China, several years ago, five boxes, nestled one inside the other and containing golden bowls, revealed the compressed bone fragments of what are believed to be partial remains of a world religious leader. Inscriptions on the boxes pointed to Gautama Buddha (Jane MaCarthey, \u201cAncient Ash Found In China is said to be Buddha Relic,\u201d The Philadelphia Inquirer, 4\/29\/87,<\/i> p. 3-A. Also, \u201cOfficials Say Buddha\u2019s Bones Found in Temple,\u201d Reading Eagle,<\/i> 4\/28\/87, p. 16.)<\/p>\n
If Christianity is superior to Buddhism, having more than five times the number of adherents, and if the death of Jesus was significantly more recent (500 years later than Buddha\u2019s death), why, one might ponder, cannot Christianity do at least as well and produce the bones of Jesus? Christians themselves would recognize the absurdity of such a question, but unbelievers and skeptics might well wonder.<\/p>\n
An article in a local newspaper not long ago gave limited credence to the notion that even some \u201cChristians in 1968 wanted desperately to believe that the skeleton found in Jerusalem belonged to Christ\u201d (Tom Tiede, \u201cAnthropologists Look at Crucifixion,\u201d Pottstown Mercuny<\/i>, 4\/14\/87). The reference was to the remains of a man named John (Yehohanan) who had been crucified during Biblical times. (See Bible and Spade<\/i> Winter 1972:13\u201314 and \u201cA Death in Jerusalem,\u201d Time<\/i>, 1\/18\/71: 64f.)<\/p>\n
He was obviously not Christ. His leg-bones had apparently been broken contrary to the explicit testimony of Scripture – John 19:31\u201336. And the name inscribed on the ossuary (bone storage box) was \u201cJohn\u201d – not Jesus. But the find did supply graphic evidence for the grisly form of execution – a 7 inch rusty nail still being imbedded in the man\u2019s heel bones. The remarkable thing, however, is the speculation that even Christians might want the skeleton to be that of Christ! How confused the world seems to be in evaluating Christian responses and in understanding central doctrines of the Christian faith! The Apostle Paul said long ago that if Christ be not raised from the dead, then the Christian faith is futile and worthless (1 Corinthians 15:17).<\/p>\n
Is it unrealistic to conjecture (scientifically speaking), however, that somewhere on this earth the bones of Jesus are available to be found? True, the discovery cited above is not Jesus, but what about some archaeological dig in the future? Could not the bones of Jesus yet be found? Many scorners of Christianity would love to learn of such a find.<\/p>\n
BSP<\/i> 2:1 (Winter 1989) p. 22<\/p>\n
Form Of Crucifixion As Suggested By Bones Discovered<\/b><\/p>\n
Ankle Bones With Iron Nail Piercing Them<\/b><\/p>\n
But all efforts and even imaginings in this direction prove useless and ephemeral. Jesus spoke of His own bones after the resurrection and assured His followers that He was still \u201cwearing\u201d them: \u201cSee My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have\u201d (Luke 24:39).<\/p>\n
No scientist<\/i> will ever overturn these words of the greatest Scientist of all time. Jesus, after all, is the One who with the Father and Spirit, created the worlds. The dust of the earth is His – and all archaeological shovels. Anthropologists breathe His air, and every beat of their hearts comes from Him. Yes, men reject His lordship, but He still fills their mouths with good things. The utterly amazing thing is that this same One, Creator of the Universe, permitted His bones to be nailed to a cross and His precious blood to flow down Calvary\u2019s cross to secure salvation for men, women, boys, and girls – even for those who may have hated Him. Oh, that more and more would come to this One in humble faith – praising Him for His majesty and mercy, rejoicing in His freely offered salvation!<\/p>\n
BSP<\/i> 2:1 (Winter 1989) p. 23<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Paul Humber* *Paul G. Humber, A.B., M.S., M.Div., is schoolmaster at a college preparatory school in the Philadelphia area. In a temple near Beijing, China, several years ago, five boxes, nestled one inside the other and containing golden bowls, revealed the compressed bone fragments of what are believed to be partial remains of a world … Continue reading “CHRIST
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